Buoyant coupling device

ABSTRACT

An inflatable coupling device prevents loss of the fastening mechanism in a liquid. The device comprises a coupling portion that detachably couples to a fastening mechanism and a remote fastening mechanism having a cavity. The coupling portion serves as a bridge, joining the fastening mechanism to the remote fastening mechanism. A coupling extension joins the coupling portion to the fastening mechanism. A buoyant portion positions inside the remote fastening mechanism and resiliently expands upon engagement with a liquid. This expansion enables floatation of the coupling portion and the attached fastening mechanism. The liquid controllably flows into the cavity of the remote fastening mechanism through an inlet portion and a membrane. A composition in the cavity creates a chemical reaction upon engagement with the liquid releasing a gas. The gas creation happening in the buoyant portion as the composition tablet is stored within the balloon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of theU.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 62/231,021 entitled“FLOATING KEYCHAIN”, filed on 23 Jun. 2015, under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). Thecontents of this related provisional application are incorporated hereinby reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter isnot inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes ofreferencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a buoyantcoupling device. More particularly, certain embodiments of the inventionrelate to a buoyant coupling device that detachably couples to afastening mechanism and a remote fastening mechanism, and includes abuoyant portion that resiliently expands to enable buoyancy of thefastening mechanism and coupling portion when immersed in a liquid.

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thata key is a device that is used to operate a lock, such as to lock orunlock it. A typical key is a small piece of metal consisting of twoparts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock anddistinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is leftprotruding so that torque can be applied by the user. A key is usuallyintended to operate one specific lock or a small number of locks thatare keyed alike, so each lock requires a unique key.

It is known that sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound with theformula NaHCO₃. It is a salt composed of sodium ions and bicarbonateions. Sodium bicarbonate reacts with carboxyl groups in proteins to givea brisk effervescence from the formation of CO₂ gas when combined withwater.

Often, while boating objects on a boat sink if dropped into the water.Common examples include keys, sunglasses, windlass cranks, and ropes.Once an object such as these, or any other object with negative buoyancyin water, falls into water it will sink. Conversely, a balloon filledwith a gas can float on the surface of the water.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary inflatablecoupling device, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view and a see-through, close-up view ofan exemplary coupling portion and inlet portion of an inflatablecoupling device, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary cavity of anexemplary remote fastening mechanism containing a composition within anuninflated buoyant portion, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an inflatable coupling devicefalling into a liquid, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an inflatable coupling devicefully immersed in the liquid, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an interior close up view of liquid flowing into anexemplary coupling portion, and then reaching and activating thecomposition of the inflatable coupling device while fully immersed inthe liquid, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary fully inflatedbuoyant portion floating to the surface of the liquid, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a fully inflated buoyantportion floating on the surface of the liquid with an attached fasteningmechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are modifications and variations of theinvention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within thescope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as pluraland vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and claimsshould be construed to mean “approximate,” rather than “perfect,” andmay accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word,specified parameter, quantity, quality, or concept. Words ofapproximation, include, yet are not limited to terms such as“substantial”, “nearly”, “almost”, “about”, “generally”, “largely”,“essentially”, “closely approximate”, etc.

As will be established in some detail below, it is well settle law, asearly as 1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in theclaims even when such limits are not defined or specified in thespecification.

For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App.1941) where the court said “The examiner has held that most of theclaims are inaccurate because apparently the laminar film will not beentirely eliminated. The claims specify that the film is “substantially”eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slightportion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view,therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate.”

Note that claims need only “reasonably apprise those skilled in the art”as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See EnergyAbsorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264,slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3, 1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v.Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed.Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use ofmodifiers in the claim, like “generally” and “substantial,” does not byitself render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. IndustrialCrating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76(Fed. Cir. 1984).

Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like“substantially” includes “reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about”,connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal No.2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I. 2010)Depending on its usage, the word “substantially” can denote eitherlanguage of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering PrecisionInstruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314,1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the “dual ordinary meaning of th[e]term [“substantially”] as connoting a term of approximation or a term ofmagnitude”). Here, when referring to the “substantially halfway”limitation, the Specification uses the word “approximately” as asubstitute for the word “substantially” (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinarymeaning of “substantially halfway” is thus reasonably close to or nearlyat the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsoleand the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.

Similarly, the term ‘substantially’ is well recognize in case law tohave the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or aterm of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing,Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir.Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term “substantially” is commonly usedby claim drafters to indicate approximation. See Cordis Corp. v.Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“The patentsdo not set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether thethickness of the wall surface is ‘substantially uniform.’ The term‘substantially,’ as used in this context, denotes approximation. Thus,the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform thickness.”); seealso Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v.Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We findthat the term “substantially” was used in just such a manner in theclaims of the patents-in-suit: “substantially uniform wall thickness”denotes a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.

It should also be noted that such words of approximation as contemplatedin the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying‘generally parallel’ such that the adverb ‘generally’ does not broadenthe meaning of parallel. Accordingly, it is well settled that such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase‘generally parallel’) envisions some amount of deviation from perfection(e.g., not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation ascontemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used inpatent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specifiedparameter. To the extent that the plain language of the claims relyingon such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing areclear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description hereinor the figures thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present writtendescription, the figures, or the prosecution history to add limitationsto any of the claim of the present invention with respect to such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under suchcircumstances, relying on the written description and prosecutionhistory to reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the wordsthemselves is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v.Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004).The plain language of phrase 2 requires a “substantial helical flow.”The term “substantial” is a meaningful modifier implying “approximate,”rather than “perfect.” In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the district court imposed a precisenumeric constraint on the term “substantially uniform thickness.” Wenoted that the proper interpretation of this term was “of largely orapproximately uniform thickness” unless something in the prosecutionhistory imposed the “clear and unmistakable disclaimer” needed fornarrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor WallSystems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed.Cir. 2003)” Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of claim 1requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returnsprecisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation that arisesonly as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly helical flow).

The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a dualordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in theforegoing, as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude;e.g., see Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert.denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe themeaning of the term “substantially” in a patent claim. Also see Epcon,279 F.3d at 1031 (“The phrase ‘substantially constant’ denotes languageof approximation, while the phrase ‘substantially below’ signifieslanguage of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial.”). Also, see, e.g.,Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022 (Fed.Cir. 2002) (construing the terms “substantially constant” and“substantially below”); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus.,Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term “substantiallyinward”); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially the entireheight thereof”); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp.,90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially in thecommon plane”). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed tobegin with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionariesand our cases indicates that the term “substantially” has numerousordinary meanings. As the district court stated, “substantially” canmean “significantly” or “considerably.” The term “substantially” canalso mean “largely” or “essentially.” Webster's New 20th CenturyDictionary 1817 (1983).

Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also beused in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the endpoints are inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK SteelCorp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003)where it where the court said [W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning ofthe phrase “up to about 10%” includes the “about 10%” endpoint. Aspointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition “up to” isnonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g.,painting the wall up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out bySollac, when the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is toinclude that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seatingcapacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a numericallimit—“about 10%”—the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint isincluded.

In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of suchwords of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid astrict numerical boundary to the modified specified parameter, assanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211,1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995) where it states “It is wellestablished that when the term “substantially” serves reasonably todescribe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood bypersons in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimedsubject matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite.” Likewise seeVerve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116, 65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054 (Fed.Cir. 2002). Expressions such as “substantially” are used in patentdocuments when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order toaccommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate to secure theinvention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to “particularly pointout and distinctly claim” the invention, 35 U.S.C. §112, and indeed maybe necessary in order to provide the inventor with the benefit of hisinvention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22,6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usagessuch as “substantially equal” and “closely approximate” may serve todescribe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology andwithout intruding on the prior art. The court again explained in EcolabInc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179(Fed. Cir. 2001) that “like the term ‘about,’ the term ‘substantially’is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to ‘avoid a strictnumerical boundary to the specified parameter, see Ecolab Inc. v.Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001)where the court found that the use of the term “substantially” to modifythe term “uniform” does not render this phrase so unclear such thatthere is no means by which to ascertain the claim scope.

Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term “about,” the term“substantially” is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to“avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter.”; e.g.,see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229(Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting thatterms such as “approach each other,” “close to,” “substantially equal,”and “closely approximate” are ubiquitously used in patent claims andthat such usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimedsubject matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and todistinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have beenaccepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case,“substantially” avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.

Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation, ascontemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939,see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where,for example, the court said “the claims specify that the film is“substantially” eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believedthat the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. Weare of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded assufficiently accurate.” Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said “It is realized that“substantial distance” is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, orphrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon inpatents in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning canbe determined with reasonable clearness.”

Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit that it isimproper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of thepresent patent that employ any words of approximation.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will be described in detail below with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

References to a “device,” an “apparatus,” a “system,” etc., in thepreamble of a claim should be construed broadly to mean “any structuremeeting the claim terms” exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s)that has/(have) been explicitly disavowed or excluded oradmitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or incapableof enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, wherethe present specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal,result, or advantage of the invention that a specific prior artstructure and/or method step is similarly capable of performing yet in avery different way, the present invention disclosure is intended to andshall also implicitly include and cover additional correspondingalternative embodiments that are otherwise identical to that explicitlydisclosed except that they exclude such prior art structure(s)/step(s),and shall accordingly be deemed as providing sufficient disclosure tosupport a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming suchalternative embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior artstructure(s)/step(s) way(s).

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “embodiments of theinvention,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the inventionso described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every possible embodiment of the inventionnecessarily includes the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,”or “in an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” do not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use ofphrases like “embodiments” in connection with “the invention” are nevermeant to characterize that all embodiments of the invention must includethe particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should insteadbe understood to mean “at least some embodiments of the invention”includes the stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

References to “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, may mean ahuman or non-human user thereof. Moreover, “user”, or any similar term,as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplatedto mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, withoutlimitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), andend user(s). The meaning of “user”, or any similar term, as used herein,should not be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) ofdescription, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (ormay not) be provided in the present patent.

References to “end user”, or any similar term, as used herein, isgenerally intended to mean late stage user(s) as opposed to early stageuser(s). Hence, it is contemplated that there may be a multiplicity ofdifferent types of “end user” near the end stage of the usage process.Where applicable, especially with respect to distribution channels ofembodiments of the invention comprising consumed retailproducts/services thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or OriginalEquipment Manufacturers), examples of an “end user” may include, withoutlimitation, a “consumer”, “buyer”, “customer”, “purchaser”, “shopper”,“enjoyer”, “viewer”, or individual person or non-human thing benefitingin any way, directly or indirectly, from use of. or interaction, withsome aspect of the present invention.

In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention mayprovide beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in theforegoing usage process. In such cases where multiple embodimentstargeting various stages of the usage process are described, referencesto “end user”, or any similar term, as used therein, are generallyintended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in theforegoing usage process, from the final user therein of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distributionchannels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) mayinclude, without limitation, any individual person or non-human thingbenefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, orinteraction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect toselling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing,merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the like thereof.

References to “person”, “individual”, “human”, “a party”, “animal”,“creature”, or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context orparticular embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, itshould be understood that such characterizations are sole by way ofexample, and not limitation, in that it is contemplated that any suchusage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection withmaking, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of thepresent invention may be substituted by such similar performed by asuitably configured non-living entity, to include, without limitation,automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational systems,information processing systems, artificially intelligent systems, andthe like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art willreadily recognize the practical situations where such living makers,users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention maybe in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, users,and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise,when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations wheresuch living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of thepresent invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with suchnon-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the teachingsof the present invention how to adapt the described embodiments to besuitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants withembodiments of the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus toalso cover all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of such adaptations and modifications, atleast in part, for such non-living entities.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names are for example only and not meant to imply anylimitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented withdifferent nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe themechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that term isutilized.

Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or contextfor terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “A memory controller comprising a system cache . . ..” Such a claim does not foreclose the memory controller from includingadditional components (e.g., a memory channel unit, a switch).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” or “operable for” is used to connote structureby indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components includestructure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task ortasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/componentcan be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) thetask even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is notcurrently operational (e.g., is not on). Themechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” or“operable for” language include hardware—for example, mechanisms,structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructionsexecutable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that amechanism/unit/circuit/component is “configured to” or “operable for”perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph, for thatmechanism/unit/circuit/component. “Configured to” may also includeadapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components thatare adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such aphrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being basedon C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions,concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upona specific analytical technique.

The term “comprising,” which is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by” is inclusive or open-ended and doesnot exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising”is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named claimelements are essential, but other claim elements may be added and stillform a construct within the scope of the claim.

As used herein, the phase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (orvariations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, ratherthan immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element setforth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim asa whole. As used herein, the phase “consisting essentially of” and“consisting of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements ormethod steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis andnovel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter (see Norian Corp.v Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, Fed. Cir.2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which claims anembodiment “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” a certain setof elements of any herein described embodiment it shall be understood asobvious by those skilled in the art that the present invention alsocovers all possible varying scope variants of any describedembodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e., “consisting essentiallyof”) functional subsets or functional combination thereof such that eachof these plurality of exclusive varying scope variants each consistsessentially of any functional subset(s) and/or functional combination(s)of any set of elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusionof any others not set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated that itwill be obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity ofalternate embodiments of the present invention that simply consistingessentially of a certain functional combination of elements of anydescribed embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set forththerein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive embodiments asif they were each described herein.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consistingessentially of,” where one of these three terms is used herein, thepresently disclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use ofeither of the other two terms. Thus in some embodiments not otherwiseexplicitly recited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by“consisting of” or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”, andthus, for the purposes of claim support and construction for “consistingof” format claims, such replacements operate to create yet otheralternative embodiments “consisting essentially of” only the elementsrecited in the original “comprising” embodiment to the exclusion of allother elements.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of floatable fastener coupling systems that maybe provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary inflatable couplingdevice 100. In one aspect, the device is configured to help prevent lossof the fastening mechanism in a body of liquid. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the buoyant coupling device comprises a couplingportion 102 that detachably couples to a fastening mechanism 108. Thecoupling portion further joins with a remote fastening mechanism 106 a,106 b having a cavity. In some embodiments, the coupling portion mayserve as a bridge, joining the fastening mechanism to the remotefastening mechanism. A coupling extension 104 may position between thecoupling portion and the fastening mechanism, joining them together.

In some embodiments, a buoyant portion is disposed to position insidethe remote fastening mechanism. The buoyant portion is configured toresiliently expand upon engagement with a liquid. This expansion enablesfloatation of the coupling portion and the attached fastening mechanism.The liquid controllably flows into the cavity of the remote fasteningmechanism through an inlet portion 110. A membrane controllablyregulates entry of the liquid through the inlet portion. The interior ofthe buoyant portion may further include a composition that creates achemical reaction upon engagement with the liquid. The chemical reactionreleases a gas. The gas causes the buoyant portion to resilientlyexpand.

In one exemplary use of the device, the device comprises a lightweight,compact keychain that houses an uninflated balloon within an attachedkey fob. The key fob houses the balloon and a sodium bicarbonatecomposition. Should the keychain fall into a body of water, water flowsinto the key fob through an inlet and engages the sodium bicarbonate,creating a chemical reaction that releases a carbon dioxide gas. Thecarbon dioxide inflates the balloon for the purpose of floating the keysto the surface of the water.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an exemplary coupling portion andinlet portion of an inflatable coupling device. In one aspect, thedevice may include a coupling portion that detachably joins thefastening mechanism. The coupling portion may include a generallyelongated, flexible housing having a slot 202. The slot is configured toreceive the coupling extension, which then detachably couples to thefastening mechanism. Though in some embodiments, the coupling portionjoins directly with the fastening mechanism. The coupling portion may belightweight and flexible. Suitable materials for the coupling portionmay include, without limitation, aluminum, aluminum alloy, polyvinylchloride, high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene.

The fastening mechanism may include a key having a blade and a bow,whereby the coupling extension, in the form of a ring, passes through anaperture in the bow. The fastening mechanism may be configured tomechanically lock and unlock a gate. Thus, the coupling portion mayserve as a key holder, as known in the art. In one alternativeembodiment, the coupling extension detachably joins the coupling portionto the fastening mechanism. The coupling extension may include agenerally annular shape that receives the aperture from the key.

In some embodiments, the coupling portion comprises a membrane 200 thatregulates passage of a liquid into a cavity of the device. The membranemay be water soluble and useful for controlling the entry of the liquidto create the chemical reaction, described below. Suitable material forthe membrane may include, without limitation, polyvinyl alcohol.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary cavity of a remotefastening mechanism containing an uninflated buoyant portion and acomposition within said buoyant portion. The device may further includea remote fastening mechanism that may detachably join with the couplingportion. In one possible embodiment, the remote fastening mechanism maybe configured to remotely lock and unlock a gate through a wirelesssignal. However, in other embodiments, the device is not electronic. Thegate may include without limitation a vehicle door, a building door, analarm, and an elevator. In one embodiment, the remote fasteningmechanism is a key fob. The remote fastening mechanism may include twometal discs approximately one and half inches (1.5″) in diameter.

In some embodiments, the remote fastening mechanism comprises a cavitythat retains a buoyant portion 300. The buoyant portion is configured toresiliently expand to enable buoyancy of the fastening mechanism uponengagement with a liquid. The liquid enters the buoyant portion throughan inlet portion. In some embodiments, the buoyant portion comprises aninflatable balloon having dimensions approximately two inches inun-inflated length. Suitable materials for the buoyant portion mayinclude, without limitation, polyethylene terephthalate, latex, andrubber.

In some embodiments, the cavity may also contain a composition 302.Specifically, the composition is housed inside the buoyant portion(balloon), and the buoyant portion is housed within the cavity of theremote fastening mechanism. The composition is configured to release agas upon engagement with the liquid through a chemical reaction. In oneembodiment, the composition comprises a powder sodium bicarbonatetablet. Those skilled in the art will recognize that sodium bicarbonatereleases carbon dioxide gas upon mixing with water. In one embodiment,the composition comprises fifteen milliliters of sodium bicarbonate in apowder tablet form.

In some embodiments, a membrane may position between the inlet portionand the cavity containing the composition. Specifically, the membrane ispositioned between the inlet portion and the opening of the buoyantportion (aka the balloon). Also, the opening of the buoyant portionconnects directly to the coupling portion.

The membrane is configured to controllably enable passage of the liquid,so as to regulate the release of gas from the composition. In thismanner, the buoyant portion resiliently expands to lift the fasteningportion and the coupling portion to the surface of the liquid foraccess. In one embodiment, the resilient expansion of the buoyantportion causes the remote fastening mechanism to disengage from thedevice. In another embodiment, the remote fastening mechanism comprisesa second inlet that is configured to enable passage of the gas from thecomposition to the buoyant portion for inflating the buoyant portion.The buoyant portion may include an opening that fixedly joins the secondinlet.

In operation, the buoyant portion connects to the coupling portion. Themembrane seals the entrance into the buoyant portion. The water makescontact with membrane, dissolves membrane and rushes into buoyantportion. Then the water activates the composition that is within thebuoyant portion. The buoyant portion inflates causing the disc of theremote fastening mechanism to separate and the device floats to the topof water.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an inflatable coupling devicefalling into a liquid, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As depicted in FIG. 4, the primary purpose of the device isto prevent a fastening mechanism, such as a key, from sinking into abody of liquid 400. The liquid may include an ocean, a lake, a toilet,and a reservoir. In one embodiment, the device is effective on a boat,whereby keys can be lost easily from the deck of the boat.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an inflatable coupling devicefully immersed in the liquid. In one aspect, when the device and theattached fastening mechanism fall into a body of liquid, the liquidflows into the inlet portion and dissolves the membrane.

FIG. 6 illustrates an interior close up view of liquid flowing into thecomposition of the inflatable coupling device while fully immersed inthe liquid. In one aspect, after the liquid flows through the membrane,the liquid flows through the inlet portion and into the buoyant portion,finally engaging the composition.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary fully inflatedbuoyant portion floating to the surface of the liquid. In one aspect,the composition commences the chemical reaction to create a gas whichinflates the balloon into a fully inflated buoyant portion 700. Thefully inflated buoyant portion causes the two pieces of the remotefastening mechanism, i.e., discs, to separate and the fully inflatedbuoyant portion has room to resiliently expand and rise to the surfaceof the liquid for easy retrieval.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a fully inflated buoyantportion floating on the surface of the liquid with an attached fasteningmechanism. In one aspect, this inflation allows the buoyant portion andthe attached coupling portion, coupling extension, and fasteningmechanism to be easily visible due to the bright coloring of the buoyantportion at the surface of the liquid; thereby making the fasteningmechanism easier to visually identify and retrieve.

In one alternative embodiment, the buoyant portion comprises brightcolors, illumination, and audio signals. In another alternativeembodiment, the composition may include any salt mixture that releases agas upon contact with water.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for”claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6)functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legallyvalid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of“mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered amultiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specificstructures and elements which are suitable to act as correspondingstructures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claimsthat are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such correspondingstructures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claimsinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching,Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structuresand related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose ofproviding explicit structures that implement the functional meansclaimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claimsconstruction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowabilityproperly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of thesedocuments discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC§112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searchingand or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) alsoincorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information toidentify all such documents comprising functionally correspondingstructures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into thepresent patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd)parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the presentapplication to explicitly include citations to such documents and/orexplicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which wereincorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitlyprescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missingdisclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patentand/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference forthe purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112(6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which areincorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have afiling and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application,and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in theinstant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing an inflatablecoupling device that prevents loss of the fastening mechanism in aliquid according to the present invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been describedabove by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed arenot intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.The particular implementation of the inflatable coupling device thatprevents loss of the fastening mechanism in a liquid may vary dependingupon the particular context or application. By way of example, and notlimitation, the inflatable coupling device that prevents loss of thefastening mechanism in a liquid described in the foregoing wereprincipally directed to a floatable key chain that is activated when asodium bicarbonate composition engages water that flows into the key fobimplementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied tofloatation of any device that can accidently fall into a body of water,which implementations of the present invention are contemplated aswithin the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be furtherunderstood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoingspecification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects,advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. That is, the Abstract is providedmerely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key oressential features of the claimed subject matter. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret thescope or meaning of the claims.

The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detaileddescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a coupling portion, saidcoupling portion being configured to enable detachable coupling with afastening mechanism; an inlet valve, said inlet valve operatively joinedwith said coupling portion; a remote fastening mechanism, said remotefastening mechanism comprising a cavity, said remote fastening mechanismbeing configured to join with said coupling portion, said remotefastening mechanism further being configured to enable remote lockingand unlocking; a composition, said composition being disposed in saidcavity of said remote fastening mechanism, said composition beingconfigured to create a chemical reaction with a liquid that at leastpartially releases a gas; an inlet portion, said inlet portion beingconfigured to enable passage of the liquid into said cavity of saidremote fastening mechanism; a membrane, said membrane being disposedacross said inlet portion, said membrane being configured to regulatethe flow of said liquid through said inlet portion; and a buoyantportion, said buoyant portion being configured to position inside saidcavity of said remote fastening mechanism, said buoyant portion furtherbeing configured to resiliently expand upon capturing said gas, wherebyexpansion of said buoyant portion is configured to enable floatation ofsaid fastening mechanism and said coupling portion, whereby expansion ofsaid buoyant portion is further configured to enable disengagement ofsaid remote fastening mechanism from said coupling portion.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, in which said coupling portion comprises a slot. 3.The system of claim 2, in which said coupling portion is fabricated fromat least one of the following: aluminum, aluminum alloy, polyvinylchloride, high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene. 4.The system of claim 3, further including a coupling extension, saidcoupling extension being configured to join said coupling portion tosaid fastening mechanism.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein saidcoupling portion is approximately five-eighths of an inch in length byone-quarter of an inch in depth.
 6. The system of claim 5, in which saidfastening mechanism is configured to enable locking and unlocking of agate.
 7. The system of claim 6, in which said fastening mechanismcomprises a key.
 8. The system of claim 7, in which said remotefastening mechanism is configured to enable locking and unlocking of agate.
 9. The system of claim 8, in which said remote fastening mechanismcomprises a key fob.
 10. The system of claim 9, in which said remotefastening mechanism comprises two metal discs approximately one and halfinches in diameter.
 11. The system of claim 10, in which said membranecomprises a water soluble membrane.
 12. The system of claim 11, in whichsaid water soluble membrane comprises polyvinyl alcohol.
 13. The systemof claim 12, in which said composition comprises sodium bicarbonate. 14.The system of claim 13, in which said buoyant portion comprises aninflatable balloon.
 15. The system of claim 14, in which said buoyantportion is approximately two inches in un-inflated length.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein said inlet valve is configured to enablepassage of a liquid into said cavity of said coupling portion.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16, in which said buoyant portion is configured to joinwith said coupling portion.
 18. The system of claim 17, in which saidcomposition is in tablet format and a loose powder.
 19. A devicecomprising: means for locking and unlocking; means for locking andunlocking; means for enabling a chemical reaction; means for controllingsaid chemical reaction means; means for inflating; and means forfloating said locking means.
 20. A device consisting of: a couplingportion, said coupling portion being configured to enable detachablecoupling with a fastening mechanism; an inlet valve, said inlet valveoperatively joined with said coupling portion; a remote fasteningmechanism, said remote fastening mechanism comprising a cavity, saidremote fastening mechanism being configured to join with said couplingportion, said remote fastening mechanism further being configured toenable locking and unlocking; a coupling extension, said couplingextension being configured to join said coupling portion to saidfastening mechanism, said coupling extension further comprising agenerally annular shape; a sodium bicarbonate tablet, said sodiumbicarbonate tablet being disposed in said cavity of said remotefastening mechanism, said sodium bicarbonate tablet being configured tocreate a chemical reaction with a liquid that at least partiallyreleases a gas; an inlet portion, said inlet portion being configured toenable passage of the liquid into said cavity of said remote fasteningmechanism; a water-soluble membrane, said water-soluble membrane beingdisposed across said inlet portion, said water-soluble membrane beingconfigured to regulate the flow of said liquid through said inletportion; and an inflatable balloon, said inflatable balloon beingconfigured to position inside said cavity of said remote fasteningmechanism, said inflatable balloon further being configured toresiliently expand upon capturing said gas, whereby expansion of saidinflatable balloon is configured to enable floatation of said fasteningmechanism and said coupling portion, whereby expansion of saidinflatable balloon is further configured to enable disengagement of saidremote fastening mechanism from said coupling portion.